First NCHA World Titles Finalized in Fort Worth

Hevvy Metal and Todd Gann were the NCHA World Finals $25,000 Novice Show Champions. • Photo by Jennifer K. HancockTodd Gann and Hevvy Metal moved from fifth place in the World standings in the $25,000 Novice to the Reserve World Champion position by earning $4,287 and the Show Championship to start the day’s action in the Watt Arena at the Mercuria National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) World Finals on Dec. 1.

Gann and “Scrap Iron” marked a 221 in the first round and won the second go with a 223, for an average-winning 444. They ended the year with $26,427 in earnings. Owned by Thomas Guinn, of Philadelphia, Mississippi, Hevvy Metal is a 6-year-old Metallic Cat gelding out of the Dual Pep mare Dual Nurse, who was the 2003 NCHA Non-Pro World Finals Show Champion.

Mercedes Smoothe, ridden by Gavin Jordan, secured the $25,000 Novice World Championship. • Photo by Jennifer K. HancockReata Cutting Horses’ 7-year-old mare Mercedes Smoothe and Gavin Jordan marked a 222.5 to win the first go and added $1,531 to their bankrolls. The team tied for second with a 218 in the second go, adding $1,072. They were also second in the average, which increased their show tally by another $1,225. When the dust settled, Mercedes Smoothe (Smooth As A Cat x CDs Masterpiece x CD Olena) ended the year with $43,590 in earnings and the $25,000 Novice World Championship.

Linda Davies rode Cetas Ahoy Mate to the $35,000 Novice/Non-Pro World Championship. • Photo by Jennifer K. HancockLast year, Linda Davies was disappointed in her performance at the Mercuria National Cutting Horse Association World Finals in Fort Worth. This year, the Canadian wiped those memories with an outstanding performance while raking in the awards in the $35,000 Non-Pro. Davies and Cetas Ahoy Mate, a 13-year-old Smart Mate gelding out of the Doc Quixote mare Cetas Lady, finished second in the first go-round with a 219.5, but secured World Championship in the process. In the second go, they marked a winning 222 to take the Show Championship with a combined 441.5. Davies picked up $2,632 to end the year with earnings of $16,628.

Gilda Jackson and Scoots Lead Free were the NCHA World Finals $5,000 Novice/Non-Pro Show Champions. • Photo by Jennifer K. HancockGilda Jackson and Scoots Lead Free (Scootin Boon x Lead Free x Docs Hickory) marked a 215.5 in the first go of the $5,000 Novice/Non-Pro, and the pair marked a 217 in the second go to win the Show Championship with a combined 432.5. Jackson and “Scoot” finished the year in third place, with a year-end total of $19,594.

Erin Bimat and CT Desireable won the $5,000 Novice/Non-Pro World Championship • Photo by Jennifer K. HancockErin Bimat and CT Desireable (Cat Ichi x Desires Smart Lena x Smart Little Lena) came to the World Finals with a big lead in the $5,000 Novice/Non-Pro, but didn’t clinch the title until marking a 222 in the first go, worth $1,531. In the second go, the team was the last draw and marked a 208. Including the World Finals, their 2016 bankroll stands at $25,054.

Dalton Laekea Vicar and Cat In White Nikes dominated in the $2,000 Limit Rider. • Photo by Jennifer K. HancockDalton Laekea Vicar and Cat In White Nikes swept the $2,000 Limit Rider, winning every title and go-round offered at the World Finals. The dynamic duo went to Fort Worth, Texas, with the World title secured, but they weren’t done. They won the first go-round with a 223, and while they didn’t beat that score in the second go, they matched it, topping their nearest competitor by 6.5 points. Their average score of 446 bested the field by 14 points. Adding $940 for each go won and the average bumped their year-end earnings to $15,256, a lead of more than $5,000 over the Reserve champion. Vicar exited the arena as the crowd shouted “Hula,” the Hawaiian rider’s nickname around the barn. Owned by Gerald Dorros of Wilson, Wyoming, “Nike” is an 11-year-old mare by High Brow Cat out of the Smart Little Lena mare Smart Little Nike.

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